News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 29, 2025
Local News
Barnetts Road in Charles City closed due to railroad repairs
Barnetts Road (Route 609) in Charles City County near the intersection of Roxbury Road (Route 106) will be closed until the remainder of the week due to a train derailment that happened on Oct. 25 (see related story). The crash, which occurred in the southern portion of New Kent County near the Charles City border, resulted in approximately 53 coal cars and two engines coming off the tracks. To access the incident, Barnetts Road is closing so that CSX Police, investigators, and a recovery team can access the site. Emergency repairs are also underway for the tracks. Detour routes are…
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Sandston man receives five-year prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine in New Kent
A Sandston man will spend the next five years in prison for distributing drugs in New Kent County. Sean R. Barnaby Sr., 38, of the 4900 block of Regina Road, entered a guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine (more than 227 grams) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 3, 2024, the Virginia State Police conducted a control buy with a confidential informant at the Food Lion in Providence Forge. The buyer met the target, identified as Barnaby, and made…
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Train derails in New Kent, Charles City border
An investigation is underway after a train derailed in New Kent County near the Charles City border on Saturday afternoon. In a press release, around 3:10 p.m. on Oct. 25, approximately 53 coal cars and two locomotives derailed between Roxbury Road in Charles City County and Mountcastle Road in New Kent. Photos show coal from the trains spilled into the wetlands, as well as rails bent and shredded. No injuries were reported as a result of the accident. Emergency personnel from New Kent, James City, and Charles City responded to the scene, with CSX Police joining the investigation to find…
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Point One Data Centers approach Charles City leaders for direction, timeline
A company that wants to create the biggest development in Charles City County has urged local leaders for direction and information. Point One Data Centers addressed their concerns with Charles City’s Board of Supervisors during a Tuesday afternoon work session. Represented by Don Pollard and Steve Russell, Point One approached county leaders for information in five specific areas. Pollard first asked the board to create a tangible tax code to record data on personal property tax in regard to data centers. He said this information will be important when interacting with tenants who plan to invest in the data center….
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Lanexa man stipulates to evidence in New Kent strangulation case
A Lanexa man has stipulated to evidence relating to a strangulation charge in New Kent. Jessie Wayne Farmer, 31, of the 13500 block of Campground Road, stipulated to evidence on the strangulation charge as part of a plea agreement reached during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. An additional charge of strangulation, one charge of misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member, and one charge of misdemeanor damaging a phone line were dropped as part of the agreement. A stipulation to evidence means that while Farmer does not admit guilt, evidence presented in the case by the…
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New Kent School Board identifies CIP projects to meet future needs
New Kent County’s School Board received its first look at a proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the FY2026-27 year. The proposed plan was broken down into three tiers based on priority. In the first tier, which New Kent County staff deem as the highest priority, the request for three school buses at a total of $529,131.60, one miniature bus ($128,250.10), one school van and one school car at a total of $95,468.50 highlighted transportation needs. Fan coil units at George Watkins Elementary ($415,506), replacement of the roof at New Kent High School ($240,000), and New Kent Middle School switchgear…
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CCSO seeking information to locate Charles City charged with attempted murder
Charles City Sheriff’s Office is asking for the publics assistance to locate a Charles City man wanted for attempted second degree murder. Charles City County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Ernest L. Jones, 42, in relation to alleged charges of attempted second degree murder, felony domestic assault, and alleged strangulation related to a Sept. 30 incident where he allegedly committed the offenses against a female companion. The public is asked that if they have any knowledge of the whereabouts of Jones to contact Charles City County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 829-9265, Richmond Crimestoppers at (804) 780-1000, or use the P3…
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Cases resolved in New Kent Circuit Court
Two court cases were resolved Monday morning as part of New Kent Circuit Court proceedings: –Alonzo Cotman, 58, of the 6700 block of Adkins Road, Providence Forge, had one charge of felony hit and run dismissed. –Tamara Renae Toots, 40, of the 5200 block of Hopewell Road, New Kent, had five counts of credit card forgery, three counts of credit card larceny, and one count of credit card fraud dropped.
New Kent Board of Supervisors approves $2.1 million for emergency system upgrades
New Kent County is upgrading their emergency communications system as the need for more services in the county increases. New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the $2.1 million project at Monday morning’s work session. New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway’s presentation centered around the age of the current system. The 10-year old system that the locality currently uses was installed by Harris Communications. And while the system has worked, several upgrades are needed according to the county administrator. “There have been a lot of changes over that time period,” Hathaway told county leaders. “It is time…
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Charles City County taking steps with long-term planning to address financial issues
Charles City County’s Board of Supervisors is hoping that a financial plan will not only help bring the county back into a balanced mindset but also address capital expenditures that need to be addressed in the near immediate future. County leaders received information of a possible long-term restoration plan during Tuesday night’s regular board meeting. Davenport Incorporated, who serves as the county’s financial advising company, provided possible solutions to address Charles City’s depleted funding on a long-term scale. Representative David Rose’s presentation on behalf of the financial company provided detailed information about the county’s past shortfall and ways to address…
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